Tape roll holder

Abstract

A tape roll dispenser has a backplate, a spindle, a cutting surface, a tab, and a writing device holder. The spindle is an arcuate channel with a bottom trough that extends outwardly from the upper section of the backplate and a sidewall that is parallel to the backplate's plane. The cutting surface extends outwardly from the bottom section of the backplate, and the tab extends upwardly from a center section of the cutting surface between serrated edges at opposite sides. The writing device holder has a pair of posts connected to and extending outwardly from the external surface of the sidewall with a rod connected between the posts and alternative writing device holders can be attached to different locations on the spindle or to the backplate, the cutting surface, or the tab. The serrated edges have a longer tooth positioned between two sets of teeth.

Claims

1. A dispenser for a roll of adhesive tape, comprising: a backplate extending from an upper section to a lower section; an arcuate channel comprising a bottom trough and a sidewall, wherein the bottom trough is attached to the upper section of the backplate and extends substantially perpendicular to the backplate by a first distance to a distal end, wherein the sidewall is located at the distal end of the bottom trough, and wherein the arcuate channel has an arc length less than a semicircle; a cutting surface extending substantially perpendicular to the lower section of the backplate by a second distance to a distal edge of the cutting surface, wherein the cutting surface comprises a pair of sides, and wherein at least one of the sides comprises a serrated edge; and a tab comprising a base and a tip, wherein the base is connected to the lower section of the backplate, wherein the tab extends upwardly towards the bottom trough from the base to the tip, and wherein the tab is spaced from the backplate by a distance approximately equal to the first distance and blocks the roll of adhesive tape from swinging outwards from the backplate when hanging from the arcuate channel.

2. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a writing device holder attached to an external face of the sidewall of the arcuate channel.

3. The dispenser of claim 2, wherein the writing device holder is comprised of a pair of posts extending substantially perpendicular to the external face and a bar connected between the posts.

4. The dispenser of claim 3, wherein the pair of posts and the bar space a writing device engaged with the bar from the roll of tape by a third distance with the sidewall separating the roll of tape from the writing device, wherein both of the pair of sides of the cutting surface comprise the serrated edge, and wherein the tab is positioned at a center section of the cutting surface between the sides with the serrated edges.

5. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the upper section and the lower section of the backplate are in a first plane, wherein the bottom trough and the sidewall of the arcuate channel form a hook with a width greater than a length, wherein the sidewall is in a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane, wherein the second distance is substantially equal to the first distance, wherein the roll of adhesive tape engages the arcuate channel and rotates in the arcuate channel relative to the backplate around an axis of rotation perpendicular to the first plane, wherein the pair of sides of the cutting surface are spaced from each other by a distance approximately equal to the width of the bottom trough, and wherein the serrated edge is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation.

6. The dispenser of claim 5, wherein the base of the tab is attached to the distal edge of the cutting surface, wherein the tab is positioned in the second plane and wherein the cutting surface is arcuate between the pair of sides.

7. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the serrated edge further comprises a plurality of teeth with a first length and at least one tooth having a second length with a second length greater than the first length.

8. The dispenser of claim 7, wherein the plurality of teeth with the first length are comprised of a first set of teeth and a second set of teeth, wherein the tooth with the second length is positioned between the first set of teeth and the second set of teeth, and wherein both of the pair of sides of the cutting surface comprise the serrated edge.

9. A dispenser for a roll of adhesive tape, comprising: a backplate extending from a first section to a second section in a first plane; a spindle attached to the first section of the backplate and extending substantially perpendicular to the first plane by a first distance to a distal end, wherein the roll of adhesive tape engages the spindle and rotates on the spindle relative to the backplate around an axis of rotation perpendicular to the first plane; a cutting surface extending substantially perpendicular to the second section of the backplate by a second distance to a distal edge, wherein the cutting surface comprises a pair of sides, wherein at least one of the sides comprises a serrated edge, and wherein the serrated edge is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation; and a writing device holder attached to at least one of the backplate, the spindle, and the cutting surface, wherein the writing device holder is comprised of a pair of posts extending substantially perpendicular to the external face and a bar connected between the posts, wherein the writing device holder is spaced a distance from the roll of adhesive tape engaged with the spindle.

10. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the spindle is comprised of an arcuate channel comprising a bottom trough and a sidewall.

11. The dispenser of claim 10, further compromising a tab, wherein the tab comprises a base and a tip, wherein the base is connected to the second section of the backplate, wherein the tab extends towards the bottom trough from the base to the tip, and wherein the tab is spaced from the backplate by a distance approximately equal to the first distance and blocks the roll of adhesive tape from swinging outwards from the backplate when hanging from the arcuate channel.

12. The dispenser of claim 9, further comprising a tab, wherein the tab extends from a base to a tip, wherein the base is connected to the second section of the backplate, wherein the tip extends toward the spindle from the base, and wherein the tab is spaced from the backplate by a distance approximately equal to the first distance and blocks the roll of adhesive tape from swinging outwards from the backplate when hanging from the spindle.

13. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the serrated edge further comprises a plurality of teeth with a first length and at least one tooth having a second length with a second length greater than the first length.

14. The dispenser of claim 9, further comprising a tab extending from a base to a tip, wherein the spindle is comprised of an arcuate channel compromising a bottom trough and a sidewall, wherein the base of the tab is connected to the second section of the backplate, and wherein the tab is arranged in a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane of the backplate and blocks the roll of adhesive tape from swinging outwards from the backplate when hanging from the arcuate channel.

15. A dispenser for a roll of adhesive tape, comprising: a backplate extending from a first section to a second section in a first plane; a spindle attached to the first section of the backplate, wherein the spindle comprises a bottom trough and a sidewall, wherein a proximal end of the bottom trough is attached to the first section of the backplate, wherein the bottom trough extends substantially perpendicular to the first plane by a first distance to a distal end, wherein the sidewall is located at the distal end of the bottom trough and is arranged substantially parallel to the backplate, wherein the roll of adhesive tape engages the spindle and rotates on the spindle relative to the backplate around an axis of rotation perpendicular to the first plane, and wherein the sidewall is located only adjacent to the upper section of the backplate and there is no sidewall in the lower section; a cutting surface extending substantially perpendicular to the second section of the backplate by a second distance to a distal edge, wherein the cutting surface comprises a pair of sides, and wherein each of the sides comprise a serrated edge; and a tab comprising a base attached to the lower section of the backplate and a tip extending upward from the base towards the bottom trough, and wherein the tip is separated from the backplate by a space approximately equal to the first distance.

16. The dispenser of claim 15, wherein the bottom trough and the sidewall form a hook with a width greater than a length.

17. The dispenser of claim 16, wherein the hook is an arcuate channel with an arc length less than a semicircle.

18. The dispenser of claim 15, further comprising a writing device holder attached to at least one of the backplate, the spindle, the cutting surface and the tab, wherein the writing device holder is spaced a distance from the roll of adhesive tape engaged with the spindle, and wherein the writing device holder is comprised of a pair of posts extending substantially perpendicular to the external face and a bar connected between the posts.

19. The dispenser of claim 15, wherein each of the serrated edges further comprise a plurality of teeth with a first length and at least one tooth having a second length with a second length greater than the first length, and wherein the serrated edge is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation.

20. The dispenser of claim 15, wherein the tab is arranged in a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane.

21. A dispenser for a roll of adhesive tape, comprising: a backplate extending from a first section to a second section in a first plane; a spindle attached to the first section of the backplate and extending substantially perpendicular to the first plane by a first distance to a distal end, wherein the roll of adhesive tape engages the spindle and rotates on the spindle relative to the backplate around an axis of rotation perpendicular to the first plane; and a cutting surface extending substantially perpendicular to the second section of the backplate by a second distance to a distal edge, wherein the cutting surface comprises a pair of sides, wherein at least one of the sides comprises a serrated edge, and wherein the serrated edge further comprises a plurality of teeth with a first length and at least one tooth having a second length with a second length greater than the first length.

22. The dispenser of claim 21, further comprising a writing device holder attached to at least one of the backplate, the spindle, and the cutting surface.

23. The dispenser of claim 22, wherein the writing device holder is comprised of a pair of posts extending substantially perpendicular to the external face and a bar connected between the posts, and wherein the spindle is comprised of an arcuate channel comprising a bottom trough and a sidewall.

24. The dispenser of claim 21, further comprising a tab, wherein the tab extends from a base to a tip, wherein the base is connected to the second section of the backplate, wherein the tip extends toward the spindle from the base, and wherein the tab is spaced from the backplate by a distance approximately equal to the first distance and blocks the roll of adhesive tape from swinging outwards from the backplate when hanging from the spindle.

25. The dispenser of claim 21, further comprising a writing device holder and a tab, wherein the spindle is comprised of an arcuate channel comprising a bottom trough and a sidewall, wherein the writing device holder is attached to at least one of the backplate, the spindle, the cutting surface, and the tab, wherein the tab extends from a base to a tip, wherein the base is connected to the second section of the backplate, wherein the tip extends toward the bottom trough from the base, and wherein the tab is spaced from the backplate by a distance approximately equal to the first distance and blocks the roll of adhesive tape from swinging outwards from the backplate when hanging from the spindle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a tape roll dispenser according to the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a side view of the tape roll dispenser shown in FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 is a front view of the tape roll dispenser shown in FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the tape roll dispenser shown in FIG. 1.

(6) FIG. 5 is a back view of the tape roll dispenser shown in FIG. 1.

(7) FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the tape roll dispenser shown in FIG. 1 with a marking pen held thereon.

(8) FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the tape roll dispenser shown in FIG. 1 with a roll of tape and a marking pen held thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(9) The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

(10) The tape roll holder of the present invention serves as a tape roll dispenser 10 for segments of tape from a roll of adhesive tape 100 and also provides a place to hold a pen 110 that can be used to mark tape segments. Generally, as shown in FIGS. 1-7, the tape roll dispenser has a backplate 12, a spindle 22, a cutting surface 16, a tab 20, and a writing device holder 18. It will be appreciated that the tab and marking pen holder are optional features of the tape roll dispenser. As explained in more detail below, the tab extends upwardly from a location proximate to the lower section of the backplate 12b and is preferable for the embodiment shown in the drawings in which the spindle serves as a hook 28 formed by an arcuate channel 14 with a bottom trough 14a and an integral sidewall 14b proximate to the upper section of the backplate 12a, and the roll of tape hangs from the hook by gravity. In operation, a person pulls on the end of the tape and the roll of tape rotates on the spindle relative to the backplate around an axis of rotation 36, and the tab helps prevent the roll of tape's lower side from swinging away from the backplate while the tape is rotating and also while the segment of tape is being cut from the roll on the serrated edge 40 as described below.

(11) The tape roll dispenser 10 can be attached to a vertical surface, such as a wall or door, using any type of fastener. Without limitation, examples of fasteners that can be used to mount the tape roll dispenser to a vertical surface include double sided tape, magnets, screws, epoxy or glue, and hook and loop fasteners.

(12) The upper section and the lower section of the backplate are preferably arranged within a single plane (P.sub.B) which so that the backplate's entire backside surface can be mounted flush to a vertical surface. The bottom trough of the arcuate channel is attached to the upper section of the backplate at its proximal end 14a′ and extends substantially perpendicular to the backplate by a length (L) that is preferably shorter than the side-to-side width (W) of the bottom trough. The sidewall is located at the distal end of the bottom trough 14a″ and is arranged in a plane (P.sub.S) that is substantially parallel to the plane of the backplate (i.e., P.sub.S ∥ P.sub.B). Accordingly, in functioning like a hook, the spindle has a width that is greater than the length. In particular, the arcuate channel has an arc length 26 that is less than a semicircle, preferably greater than 60° and less than 120°. Preferably, the top of the sidewall is approximately aligned with the top of the backplate, and the depth (D) of the bottom trough between the sidewall and the backplate is less than the length of the bottom trough.

(13) The cutting surface extends substantially perpendicular to the lower section of the backplate to a distal edge of the cutting surface 34. The length of the cutting surface from the backplate is approximately equal to the length of the bottom trough. Preferably, the cutting surface extends from the bottom edge of the backplate and has a pair of sides 38a, 38b that are beneath the opposite sides of the arcuate channel so that its width is similar in size to the width of the bottom trough. At least one of the cutting surface's sides has a serrated edge 40 and preferably both sides have a serrated edge which are substantially parallel to the axis of rotation. The serrated edge further has two sets of teeth with a first length (L.sub.1) and a tooth 44 positioned between the sets of teeth 42a, 42b which has a second length (L.sub.2) that is greater than the first length (L.sub.2>L.sub.1). The longer tooth 44 helps to initiate the cut in the tape and is preferably offset to be closer towards the backplate so that when a person pulls a segment of tape to be torn from the roll, the shorter width of the tape that tears is closer to the backplate and wall on which the dispenser is mounted while the longer width of the tape that tears is closer to the person who is pulling the tape. The sides of the cutting surface also preferably include a landing space above the serrated edge which allows a portion of the adhesive tape to stick while the segment of tape is being separated from the roll.

(14) The tab has a base 50 that is preferably attached to the distal edge of the cutting surface and extends upwardly to a tip 52. The tab is arranged in a plane (P.sub.T) that is substantially parallel to the backplate's plane (i.e., P.sub.T ∥ P.sub.B) and positioned at a center section of the cutting surface between the sides with the serrated edges. The tab's plane (P.sub.T) is preferably aligned in the same plane as the sidewall's plane (P.sub.S). Since there is no sidewall in the lower section of the backplate, the tab prevents the roll of tape from swinging outwards while it is rotating on the spindle. Although not shown in the drawings, it will be appreciated that the base of the tab could be connected directly to the backplate with a bend between the base and the tip.

(15) The writing device holder is preferably attached to an external face of the sidewall 24 of the arcuate channel with a longitudinal axis 56 that is parallel to the backplate's plane. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the writing device holder has a pair of posts 46 extending substantially perpendicular to the external face and a bar 48 connected between the posts. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the sidewall separates the roll of tape from a proximal end 110a of the writing device 110 that is engaged with the bar, and a distal end of the writing device 110b extends to a location proximate to the distal edge of the cutting surface approximately equidistant between the pair of sides of the cutting surface. It will be appreciated that the writing device holder can be attached to the tape roll dispenser 10 anywhere that is spaced a sufficient distance 54 away from the roll of tape to avoid an interference between the roll and the pen. For example the writing device holder can be connected to the side of the backplate in a manner similar to the design shown in the ′002 Design Patent. It will also be appreciated that the writing device holder could be attached to the top or bottom of the backplate or to the spindle or the cutting surface. For example, the writing device holder may be a friction fit aperture which is attached to the top of the tab or below the cutting surface or below the arcuate channel similar to the pen holder in the ′276 Patent. Other writing device holders might be other type of friction fit connections or clips or may even use hook and loop fasteners.

(16) The roll of tape's hanging position depicted in FIG. 7 is achieved by positioning the open core of the roll around the arcuate channel while the bottom portion of the tape roll is positioned above the tab. The core is then lowered into the arcuate channel while the bottom portion of the tape roll is situated between the tab and the lower section of the backplate, allowing the roll to hang from the arcuate channel while the tab prevents the roll of tape from swinging outwardly from the backplate. Accordingly, a user can replace rolls of tape on the tape dispenser of the present invention without any disassembly or opening actions so that the user can remove and place rolls of tape on the dispenser with a single hand and without having to separately manipulate parts on the spindle. After the roll is placed in the channel, the writing device can then be hung from the writing device holder by placing the writing device's clip structure over the bar which is preferably an integral structure of the dispenser. It will be appreciated that the length that the arcuate channel extends from the upper section of the backplate and the corresponding distance of the tab from the lower section of the backplate can be optimized to fit particular sizes of tape. For example, some painting tape is only around one inch (1″) in width which is approximately half the standard width of masking tape, duct tape, and packing tape. The illustrations show a channel that would fit the thinner width painting tape, and it will be appreciated that a longer extension of the bottom trough from the backplate would accommodate the wider type of tape.

(17) The advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, the maximum space savings and minimum visual distraction it provides over current adhesive tape storage and dispensing devices made possible by its ability to store a roll of tape up and out of the way parallel to a vertical surface such as a wall, cabinet, or refrigerator door as opposed to on a table, countertop, or in a drawer. In addition, as the device is designed to function as a fixture to remain stationed in a single location on a semi-permanent to permanent basis, the present invention provides a constant and reliable location users can always expect to find and access a roll of tape unlike current adhesive tape storage and dispensing devices which are often moved and misplaced during use. Additionally, the open design of the present invention's arcing channel on which rolls of tape are meant to simply hang upon as a hook rather than be secured by more complicated apparatus allows for rolls to be quickly and easily removed and replaced and makes the process of removing and replacing rolls much faster and more simple than current tape holders and dispensers that require opening or partial disassembly of the device to access and place rolls of tape within. Also, by integrating a means to hang a marking pen along with a roll of tape, the preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a functionality not found on any previous adhesive tape roll storage and dispensing devices making it easy to use tape in conjunction with a marking pen as a convenient labeling solution. It will also be recognized that the tape roll dispenser 10 of the present invention can be produced as an integral, molded device with no moving parts so it may be produced more affordably than other, more complicated tape storage and dispensing devices and may present a lower-cost option for consumers.

(18) The embodiments were chosen and described to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to persons who are skilled in the art. As various modifications could be made to the exemplary embodiments, as described above with reference to the corresponding illustrations, without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. For example, although the preferred embodiment shows a spindle with an integral sidewall, it will be appreciated that the aspects of the present invention, such as the writing device holder, could be incorporated into previously known tape dispensers that are vertically mounted, such as the ′229 Patent and the ′734 Patent. As another example, although not preferred, the present invention could have spindles as disclosed in these previously known tape dispensers which require a separate structure, such as a cap or head structure or a sleeve, that connects to the spindle; according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the spindle is formed by the bottom trough with the integral sidewall and acts like a hook so there is no need for a separate structure. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.